Hey everyone, thank you so much for your support so far with this story. I know a lot of you aren't very impressed with the idea of Charlie and Brett. But as they say 'everything happens for a reason';)

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"So are you going to have to like sleep with the guy?"

Charlie was standing at the fridge getting the milk out, and Ruby was devouring her bowl of breakfast cereal. She had started to explain things to Ruby in more detail.

"Ruby is that all you think about? I don't know really if it comes to it I suppose but for the moment I have to concentrate on getting him to go out with me first."

"What's he like? You have seen him right?" Ruby managed between mouthfuls.

"He came into the Surf Club last night- that's the bar. He's far from my type but he isn't the worst."

"Don't you think its weird Charlie, leading a guy on and using him?"

"Ruby he's a criminal, and it's my job so it doesn't bother me at all. He needs to get caught out and it's my job to make sure that happens." Charlie sat down at the table and poured the milk into her cereal.

"Still weird, I don't know how you do it…"

"You just have to separate yourself from the situation Rubes" Charlie stopped chewing for a moment, getting distracted... "Anyway we need to get you enrolled in the high school. We have to do that later ok?"

"Sure. I suppose I'll start soon yeah?"

"I suppose, we'll see what the principal has to say. How do you feel about starting in a new school?"

"I don't mind, it's not as if I haven't done it before. If the guys yesterday were anything to go by it would be a pleasure."

"Ruby," Charlie chuckled as she stood up and washed her bowl "No sex before marriage got it?"

"Got it. I'll follow your example." Ruby replied sarcastically handing her used dishes to Charlie.

"Definitely don't follow my example. Now get changed and we'll try and find the school."

***

Half an hour away, down by the harbour Joey Collins was washing last nights dishes in the kitchen of the three bed roomed bungalow she shared with her brother Brett. This was part of her daily routine, cleaning up after her brother and acting as his house keeper. Thankfully he worked everyday, and the days she wasn't working she had some time to catch up with her friends; after the cleaning of course.

"Jo where are my overall's? I'm going to be late for work." Brett bellowed from his room.

"Wherever you left them I guess." She retorted. It was too early for his grumpy mood.

"No need to be so fucking smart." He stormed out of the bedroom and pushed past her.

She sighed out loud, but relieved to have the house to herself. After she finished drying the cutlery she went into her room and sent a text to Aden, her best friend seeing if he was free to meet up.

She turned on her iPod and lay on her bed. She closed her eyes and let the lyrics flow through her.

***

Ruby stood next to the principal as he gave her and Charlie a guided tour of the school.

"This is where most of your classes will be," Mr Bartlett pointed out as the stood outside the door of a classroom. "Would you like me to introduce you to your fellow classmates?"

Ruby briefly looked up at Charlie "Am no I think I'll just meet them tomorrow morning." She chuckled nervously.

"Ok then, you've nothing to be nervous about there are some kind students in your class, I'm sure you'll settle in very fast. If you've any hassle you can come to either me or Mr. Copeland, he's your year head and he'll keep an eye out for you to make sure your adjusting well."

"That's great thanks very much Mr Bartlett." Charlie appreciated the efforts he was going to, to ensure Ruby had a smooth transition.

"No problem. So we'll see you in the morning?" He asked as they walked to the school doors.

"Yes, bright and early." She smiled and left with Charlie.

"Looks like a nice school?" Charlie remarked ass they drove home.

"Yeah its fine, I'm little nervous about tomorrow though."

"Don't be," Charlie moved her hand across over the gearbox and rubbed Ruby's thigh. "Would a trip to the beach help do you think?"

"Totally." Ruby smiled certainly.

They went home to get changed into their bikinis. Charlie wore loose denim shorts and a white singlet over hers and waited by the door for Ruby to get ready.

The afternoon sun beat down on them as they walked side by side to the beach. They were only too glad to reach the sand and shed their clothes, well and truly needing to be cooled down after the walk.

Ruby pulled her light summer dress off over her head and jogged down to the waters edge, leaving Charlie standing alone as she undressed herself. She eased the denim shorts down over her narrow hips and wiggled her legs, letting them drop onto the golden sand. She whipped her singlet off and ran for the water, in nothing but her small baby blue bikini. She slowed down as she came near to Ruby. When she was directly behind her, she swooped her up and ran into the sea throwing her into the crystal blue water.

Ruby emerged from the foam a few seconds later gasping for air and wiping the salty water from her face "Charlie that's so mean I wasn't ready!" Ruby shrieked as she stood up in the water.

"Poor little Rubes." Charlie smirked. The water was up to her knees and she kicked it gently in Ruby's direction.

***

Aden held Joey's hand as she walked along the small wall separating the sand of the beach from the town.

He looked up at his buddy affectionately, she deserved better than to be living with her thankless brother.

"I always knew I should have been a gymnast." Just commented as she stared intently down at the brick wall making sure she didn't topple over.

"Definitely, you're wasted gutting fish and being my friend."

She leapt off the wall and into his arms "One thing I'm not wasted on is being your friend. You think we should do something this weekend? …"

"Yeah we should." He contemplated her suggestion.

"I'll let it up to you. We can go to my house?" Joey offered

"Would Brett be there?" Aden couldn't bear Joeys older brother, he completely took advantage of her. Although he wanted her to move, out at least in the last year or so she wasn't tolerating his temper.

"I don't know maybe, maybe not. Doesn't matter it's my house too." Joey smiled and sat down on the wall, gazing out at the sea. It was getting late and the sun was retreating.

"True…" Aden was staring out at the waves, his eyes settling on a tall slim brunette in the process.

He exhaled deeply making a small whistle as he did so.

"Ade stop perving." Joey stated passively.

"I'm simply admiring the scenery."

"Yeah, but in the form of two boobs and a little blue bikini."

Aden nudged Joey "Don't say you're not enjoying it."

"I never did," Joey winked and pulled Aden up with her "Come on I better get home."

***

After a few hours of messing in the water with Ruby, Charlie skipped out to dry herself off. She picked up her towel and behind it's boundaries she shed her soaking bikini top, and replaced it with her white singlet.

"You ready?" She asked her sister, as she tied the button on her shorts.

"Sure." Ruby picked up her belongings and they plodded their way up the sandy land.

Charlie ran her fingers through her dripping hair, the coolness of the evening raising goose bumps on her flesh.

A young couple- or so Charlie presumed, were laughing together on the wall in front of them.

"Shut up Aden!" Joey giggled as she attempted to clamp her hand over his mouth.

"Hey," Aden called out as the two brunettes walked passed. Joey spun around on his lap trying to stifle her giggles.

"Hi," Ruby smiled taking in the guy's good looks.

"Hey," Charlie grinned briefly at the handsome pair, she continued to walk, a subtle way of encouraging Ruby to pick up her pace.

Once they were out of earshot Charlie ruffled Ruby's hair "He's too old for you, and he's got a girlfriend."

"Wow, this place just gets better and better." She poked her tongue out at Charlie.

***

Aden walked Joey back to her house.

"I think Brett's home." He nodded in the direction of the small house, where the lights were shining in the kitchen.

"Better go face the music. I'll talk to you tomorrow ok?" Joey walked backwards towards the house.

"Sure thing. Tell Brett I say hi." Aden joked.

"Night Ade."

Joey walked up to the front door and counted to ten before opening it. Who knew, maybe with some luck Brett would also have a night shift.

Now there's hoping, she thought. "Brett are you here? I'm home."

"Yeah I'm in my room." Came his reply.

Joey sighed and went into the kitchen to prepare dinner, exactly what was expected of every night.